Calvo Pesca Investigated On Possible Fraud Spain, May 27, 13

The Spanish company Calvo Pesca said today that it
is not opposed to being investigated by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF),
because it obtained the necessary fishing permits to operate, referring to the
activities that have raised doubts in Brussels.

OLAF recommended the
investigation of the Spanish company after it registered two purse seiners as
carrying local flags and enabling them to fish in waters of Latin America prior
to the agreed period.

In a statement, the company said that given its
policy as a “transparent company open to dialogue, it has no objection to
conduct such research.”

Calvo Pesca confirmed that it had obtained “all
the necessary permits” by the authorities concerned to redirect two tuna vessel
from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. According to the company, “this
request was submitted after two years of operations and due to circumstances
beyond its control.”

The investigation by OLAF is part of a more
extensive previous case related to the fishing industry in Central America, in
which irregularities were discovered in the registration of these two fishing
vessels, operated by Calvo Pesca, the European Anti-Fraud Office told news
source EFE today.

OLAF said today that Calvo Pesca had received over Euro
4 million from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance for registering
both fishing vessels in a non-EU country and for having the two vessels fish in
the Indian Ocean with local flag for at least five years.

However, the
two fishing boats changed their flags and began to fish before the agreed
period.

OLAF estimates that the financial cost of this fraudulent
activity reaches Euro 7 million, of which Euro 4 million correspond to EU funds,
Euro 1 million comes from the country concerned and the other Euro 2 million are
related to interest and penalties.

This same source indicated that the
final report had been submitted to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries, who immediately launched a procedure for a financial
recovery.

As for the previous case investigated, Calvo Pesca said it
affected most of the Spanish tuna industry and that an initial ruling had
already been issued by the National Court "fully estimated the appeal brought by
the company”.

The Spanish customs authorities have proceeded to
officially request the EU for a waiver to the EU, according to the
company.